Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has withdrawn police cases registered against youths and leaders from the Kshatriya community during protests against the film Padmaavat held several years ago. The decision has brought relief and happiness across the community, with many calling it a significant step toward resolving long-pending legal issues linked to the agitation.

Reacting to the development, BJP leader and Uttar Gujarat Rajput Samaj President Jayrajsinh Parmar thanked Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, former Law Minister Rushikesh Patel and ex-minister Pradipsinh Jadeja for their support. Parmar said that in 2017, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmavati was released solely to boost box office collections and attract audiences. He said the film distorted history by depicting fictional scenes involving Rani Sati Padmavati, who is a symbol of honour, pride and glory for the Kshatriya community. The movie also included scenes that were seen as insulting to India’s Sanatan and Hindu culture.

This triggered widespread anger among the Kshatriya community across Gujarat and the country, leading to intense protests and agitation, followed by cases being filed at various police stations across Gujarat. He added that community organisations later submitted representations to the government, following which the cases were reviewed in detail. Under Section 321 of the CrPC, the state moved courts to withdraw the cases, and courts in Mehsana accepted the withdrawal related to Vijapur and Mehsana police stations, bringing closure to several pending matters. DeshGujarat